Husker Buzz

Reserved Tickets for Spring Game Available Next Week

2008-01-31T14:21:00Z

The University of Nebraska has announced that tickets to the April 19 Red-White Spring Football Game will go on sale on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 8 a.m. Tickets will be available at Huskers.com and can also be purchased by contacting the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-8BIG RED. Kickoff for the Red-White Spring Game has been set for 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

This season, in a change from recent years, reserved tickets for the spring game will be available. Approximately 25,000 reserved seats in the East and West Stadiums will be available at a cost of $10 per ticket. In addition to the reserved tickets, fans may also purchase general admission tickets at the cost of $8 for adults and $4 for youth (high school age and younger) and seniors. Children under age six, as well as UNL students, faculty and staff (with ID) will be admitted for free. Children (junior high or younger) wishing to take the Drug Free Pledge at halftime will also be admitted for free. General admission seating will be in the North and South stadiums.

All fans wishing to attend the Red-White game are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance to avoid long lines at ticket booths and will-call windows on game day. Nebraska has averaged nearly 60,000 fans for its spring game over the past four seasons and Memorial Stadium will be at full capacity (81,067) for this year’s Red-White contest.

Nebraska Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations Jeff Jamrog said the goal is to better the record 63,417 fans that attended the 2005 game.

“Nebraska is known nationally for its tradition of selling out football games and I know Coach Pelini wants that to include the spring game,” Jamrog said. “Hopefully, our fans will take the chance to spend a great day in Lincoln and get a preview of their 2008 Huskers.”

In addition to expecting a large crowd in the stadium, Nebraska will also be hosting its Junior Day in conjunction with the spring game with prospects from around the country expected to be on campus.

The Nebraska baseball team will also be in town on April 19, playing host Kansas at Hawks Field later in the afternoon. Information on additional events surrounding the Red-White Spring Game will be announced in the coming weeks on Huskers.com.

Callahan Hired by NY Jets

2008-01-19T02:23:00Z

The New York Jets announced today that they have hired Bill Callahan as their Assistant Head Coach.

"Bill brings valuable experience as an assistant coach and head coach on both the college and NFL levels," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "His expertise with the running game and with protections will be a big asset. I look forward to adding him to our staff."

The 51-year-old Callahan had a 27-22 record during a contentious four seasons with Nebraska, where he often was viewed as an outsider by Cornhuskers fans. He was fired after a 5-7 season by former Cornhuskers coach Tom Osborne, who returned to the school as interim athletic director.

But now Callahan's back in the NFL, where he'll work primarily with the offensive line.

"I am excited about the opportunity to join the New York Jets," Callahan said. "Coach Mangini has assembled a fine coaching staff and I look forward to working with them and contributing to the team."

Although the Jets acquired running back Thomas Jones last year from Chicago and Jones rushed for 1,119 yards, the rushing attack was considered to have underachieved. New York's two first-round draft picks, tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and centre Nick Mangold, didn't progress much in 2007.

Tony Wise and Mike Devlin worked with the offensive linemen last year. Wise is not expected to return.

Callahan was Jon Gruden's offensive co-ordinator in Oakland, and the Raiders led the NFL in rushing in 2000. He replaced Gruden in 2002 when Gruden went to the Buccaneers, and the Raiders led the NFL in passing offence that season for the first time in franchise history. They also led the NFL in total offence in 2002, but lost to Gruden's Bucs in the Super Bowl.

Pelini's Defense Stops Ohio State

2008-01-08T14:20:00Z

Bo Pelini's defense played an integral part in LSU's 38-24 win over Ohio State. This is LSU's second BCS Championship. The defense caused 3 turnovers and held Ohio State to 3 for 13 on 3rd down conversions. The LSU DBs were all over Todd Boeckman's receivers leaving him nowhere to pass all night long.

Congratulations Bo! Now get back to Lincoln and get to work!!! :-)

Beck Named Husker Running Backs Coach

2008-01-08T00:00:00Z

Nebraska Head Football Coach Bo Pelini has announced that Tim Beck will serve as the Huskers’ running backs coach. Beck joined the Huskers on Monday after completing his third season as an assistant coach at Kansas in the Orange Bowl last Thursday.

Beck is the final full-time assistant to be named to the Nebraska staff, as Pelini announced the other eight members of his coaching staff in mid-December. Like the other members of Nebraska’s new staff, Beck has prior experience coaching in the Big 12 Conference. Beck helped Kansas to its best season in school history with a 12-1 record in 2007, capped by a 24-21 victory over Virginia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl. In each of his three seasons on Mark Mangino’s staff, Beck served as the Jayhawks’ receivers coach, and he added the title of pass game coordinator in 2007. In 2007, Beck helped engineer one of the nation’s most potent offenses as Kansas ranked second nationally in scoring offense (42.8 ppg), eighth in total offense (479.8 ypg) and 17th in passing offense (291.0 ypg). KU senior receiver Marcus Henry caught 54 passes for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn All-Big 12 honors, while three other Jayhawks caught more than 40 passes each. Before joining the Kansas staff, Beck was one of the most respected high school coaches in the state of Texas, serving three seasons at Summit High in Mansfield. He was the 2003 District Coach of the Year after leading Summit to its first-ever playoff appearance and district championship. Beck also served as the head coach at R.L. Turner High in Carrollton, Texas, from 1999 to 2001. He also had a successful run as the head coach at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., from 1993 to 1995. Among the standouts Beck coached at Saguaro High was former Nebraska All-America safety Mike Brown. In addition to Kansas, Beck’s collegiate experience includes three seasons at Missouri State (1996-98), two seasons as a graduate assistant at Kansas State (1991-92) and one season at Illinois State (1990).

Beck is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High, the same high school that Bo and Carl Pelini attended. Beck played college football at Central Florida.

Bo Is Back!!!

2007-12-12T16:10:00Z

Bo Pelini is the right choice to restore order and tradition to Husker Nation. He has alot of work ahead of him but the steps he has taken already have given everyone confidence that this change was definitely for the better and that there is no better choice for the job.

The coaching staff that he has assembled also reflect the integrity and tradition that is Husker Football. Recruiting should not be a problem. Restoring the defense will happen and players will once again be proud to be called the Blackshirts. Offensive continuity should remain with Shawn Watson staying on as offensive coordinator.

Good things are coming. I can't wait for the spring game!!!

2008 Husker Schedule Date Changes Announced

2007-12-05T22:28:00Z

Nebraska has announced that there will be date changes for 2008 home games against Virginia Tech and Western Michigan.

The previously scheduled Sept. 27 game against Western Michigan has been moved to Aug. 30 and will be the first game of Bo Pelini’s coaching tenure at Nebraska. Nebraska’s game with Virginia Tech will now be played on Sept. 27 instead of the originally scheduled Sept. 20 date. Television announcements for the two games will be made at a later date, but the Nebraska-Virginia Tech game will air on ABC, ESPN or FSN. The move allows Nebraska an early-season open date on Sept. 20.

Greatest College Football Coach Of All Time

2007-12-05T19:50:00Z

ESPN has a survey of the Greatest College Football Coach of All Time

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/citirosebowl/2007/index

Tom Osborne is currently in the lead. Go Bid Red!!!

Pelini To Coach LSU BCS Championship Game

2007-12-05T19:41:00Z

Bo Pelini has received permission from Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne to coach the LSU defense at the BCS National Championship game against Ohio State on Jan 7.

"Bo has been at LSU for three years, and its players and coaches have worked very hard for a chance to win the national championship,” Osborne said. “I am confident that Bo is handling his responsibilities in his new job here as effectively as possible. The two-week dead period in recruiting (beginning in mid-December) gives him a chance to take care of some unfinished business at LSU without really putting us in any kind of bind.”

Pelini Coaching Staff Starting To Come Together

2007-12-05T19:21:00Z

Bo Pelini has begun to hire his coaching staff and the list includes some familiar names:

Offensive Coordinator	Shawn Watson
QB Coach	Shawn Watson
RB Coach	???
WR Coach	Ted Gilmore
TE Coach	Ron Brown
OL Coach	Barney Cotton
Defensive Coordinator	Bo Pelini
DL Coach	???
LB Coach	Carl Pelini
DB Coach	Marvin Sanders
Special Teams	???

Bo Pelini is Announced as Next Husker Coach

2007-12-02T22:06:00Z

In a 4pm press conference today (Sunday), Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne introduced Bo Pelini as the next head coach of of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Pelini discussed that his emphasis will be tradition and to make sure that everyone that has contributed to Husker football in the past knows they are part of the family. He also talked about the importance of getting recuriting started. He will be foregoing the a potential national championship game at LSU to move to Lincoln and get to work.

When asked if there was any animosity about not getting the job when Bill Callahan was hired. Pelini said no. "If there was any animosity I wouldn't be here right now".

Pelini does have assistant coaches in mind and mentioned that he would be talking with some of the current assistant coaches but would only say that his choices would work themselves out in the next few days.

Pelini does expect to be involved heavily in the defense. He expects to call the defense within the foreseeable future. He feels that the offense has been moving the ball and doesn't expect any drastic changes but time will tell.

Pelini said that he would not be standing there today as the new head coach at Nebraska if it was not for Frank Solich and the chance that he was given to get back into college football.

Bo Pelini Will Be the Next Husker Coach

2007-12-01T04:25:00Z

If all of the rumors are true, there will be an announcement on Monday saying that Bo Pelini will be hired as the next coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Currently Tom Osbourne is not commenting on the truth to these rumors.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3135858

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10198178

Steve Peterson hired at Pitt

2007-11-30T19:25:00Z

Steve Peterson, former Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska, has been hired once again by the University of Pittsburgh.

http://pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com/genrel/113007aag.html

Huskers Fall at No. 8 Kansas

2007-11-04T04:31:00Z

In his first career start as Nebraska's quarterback, Joe Ganz threw for more than 400 yards and led the Husker offense to 39 points, but it was not enough in NU's 76-39 loss at No. 8 Kansas at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ganz, a junior from Palos Heights, Ill., led Nebraska to a touchdown on his opening series as NU's starter by capping the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. He also guided the Huskers to a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter, but KU's offense scored touchdowns on 10 consecutive drives to lead the Jayhawks to victory.

Ganz finished the day by completing 25-of-50 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns to lead Nebraska to the biggest offensive output allowed by KU's defense this season. In fact, NU's 39 points surpassed the total output produced by the Jayhawks' first five opponents combined at home this season (33 points).

Despite a strong offensive performance by the Huskers, the Jayhawks were even more efficient in producing the highest point total ever by an NU opponent. The Jayhawks took their first lead at 21-14 at the end of the first quarter and carried a 48-24 lead into the locker room at the half.

Nebraska marched down the field to narrow the gap to 48-31 after the opening drive of the second half, but the Husker defense could not slow the balanced and potent Kansas offense. The Jayhawks took advantage of three straight Husker turnovers to score four consecutive touchdowns to push their lead to 76-31 with 11:12 left in the game on Brandon McAnderson's fourth touchdown run of the day. McAnderson finished the day with 25 carries for 119 yards.

Ganz, who did throw four interceptions, ended a streak of 28 points by KU when he found Maurice Purify in the end zone on fourth down to pull NU to 76-39 after completing a two-point conversion pass to Nate Swift. Ganz finished with four touchdown passes in his debut, with three of those strikes going to Purify, who enjoyed the finest day of his Husker career with seven catches for 158 yards and three scores.

While Purify had a huge day, nine other NU receivers hauled in at least one reception from Ganz. Marlon Lucky added six catches for 83 yards, including a 62-yard scoring catch and run to give NU a 14-7 first quarter lead.

KU quarterback Todd Reesing also connected with a bevvy of receivers on the afternoon, orchestrating a fine-tuned Kansas onslaught by completing 30-of-41 passes for 354 yards and six touchdown passes. Three of the scoring strikes went to Dezmon Briscoe, who finished with five catches for 52 yards. Marcus Henry led all KU receivers with six catches for 101 yards and one touchdown, while a total of eight Jayhawks recorded catches.

KU finished the day with 572 yards of total offense, includuing 218 rushing yards. Nebraska amassed 484 total yards, but managed just 79 yards on the ground led by freshman Roy Helu's nine carries for 56 yards.

Despite the similar yardage totals for the two teams, Nebraska's five turnovers proved to be the largest difference on the day, while the Husker defense was unable to force a turnover by the Jayhawks.

Nebraska returns to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln for the final time in 2007, when the Huskers take on Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 10. Kickoff in Lincoln is set for 11 a.m. with live national television coverage provided by Versus.

Scoring (#8 Kansas 76, Nebraska 39)
Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007
KU Memorial Stadium (Lawrence, Kan.)
Attendance: 51,910

First Quarter (#8 Kansas 21, Nebraska 14)
NU - Joe Ganz 3 run (Alex Henery kick), 9:04
KU - Kerry Meier 13 pass from Todd Reesing (Scott Webb kick), 6:38
NU - Marlon Lucky 62 pass from Ganz (Henery kick), 4:58
KU - Brandon McAnderson 2 run (Webb kick), 3:16
KU - Jake Sharp 26 pass from Reesing (Webb kick), 1:00

Second Quarter (#8 Kansas 48, Nebraska 24)
KU - McAnderson 9 run (Webb kick), 10:34
NU - Maurice Purify 19 pass from Ganz (Henery kick), 9:44
KU - Marcus Henry 5 pass from Reesing (Webb kick), 8:30
KU - McAnderson 1 run (Webb kick), 2:43
KU - Dezmon Briscoe 13 pass from Reesing (Webb kick failed), 1:16
NU - Henery 27 field goal, 0:12

Third Quarter (#8 Kansas 69, Nebraska 31)
NU - Purify 14 pass from Ganz (Henery kick), 11:39
KU - Briscoe 14 pass from Reesing (Webb kick), 8:17
KU - Briscoe 7 pass from Reesing (Webb kick), 5:45
KU - Jake Sharp 11 run (Webb kick), 3:34

Fourth Quarter (#8 Kansas 76, Nebraska 39)
KU - McAnderson 6 run (Webb kick), 11:12
NU - Purify 8 pass from Ganz (2PAT Good, Nate Swift pass from Ganz), 4:26

Keller Out For Season With Shoulder Injury

2007-10-29T17:43:00Z

Husker coach Bill Callahan said Monday morning that Sam Keller is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

Joe Ganz will get his first start against Kansas, which ranks fifth in total defense.

"He'll be out for the season, (with a) shoulder injury," Callahan said. "I would prefer that you speak to him and let him discuss the injury. His injury will take him out of the season this year. He's done a tremendous job for us this year. I couldn't be more pleased with the job he's done for us."

About Ganz, Callahan said: "We've given our backup quite a few reps during course of season, so Joe is very well prepared and very well prepped ... He'll be competitive on Saturday, he will give it his all. I think our team and staff have the utmost confidence in his ability."

Huskers Gear Up for Texas Offense

2007-10-25T06:52:00Z

The Nebraska defense will be challenged by Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, who threw for 220 yards last year against NU. The Nebraska football team continued to prepare for a tough Texas offense Thursday afternoon during a two-and-a-half hour workout in Memorial Stadium in shoulder pads and shorts.

The focus of the preparation has been stopping Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy, who ranks third in the Big 12 at 278.8 passing yards per conference game and had 220 yards passing on 25-of-39 passes last year against the Huskers in UT’s 22-20 win in Lincoln. McCoy, who as a sophomore ranks fifth in the Texas record books in career passing yardage, has shown the ability not only to make throws downfield, but also to make plays when the pocket breaks down. “One of the things I see in McCoy is that, when he’s executing the offense, when something breaks down, he’s able to keep everything alive and he’s able to keep plays growing and create out of the pocket and use his God-given athletic ability to make plays downfield,” head coach Bill Callahan said. “That’s probably the most impressive thing I see in their passing game is that McCoy can extend the play.”

One of McCoy’s top targets is sophomore tight end Jermichael Finley. The sophomore tight end has 28 catches for 396 yards this season and had a then-career-high four catches for 37 yards last year against Nebraska.

“He’s a good tight end,” Callahan said. “He has all the tools and all the traits you look for in an excellent tight end. Blocking-wise, he’s complete. In terms of getting downfield, he can stretch the field. He has all the cuts.” Nebraska may be forced to face the Longhorns with a depleted linebacker corps. Neither Blake Lawrence or Bo Ruud practiced Thursday. Along with senior center Brett Byford, their status remains questionable for Saturday’s game against Texas.“Hopefully, they’ll be ready tomorrow,” Callahan said. “Hopefully, they’ll all be on the trip. No one has been ruled out. They’re still questionable right now.” The Huskers resume preparations for Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. game against Texas with a workout Thursday in Lincoln before leaving Friday for Austin.